Matsuzaka (1-3) was activated off the disabled list to make the start against the Royals and answered with a five-hit effort over seven innings. He walked two and struck out six.

It was his first win in 15 months. Matsuzaka had been on the disabled list recently because of a neck issue but was also coming off so-called Tommy John surgery in June 2011.

The Royals' lone run was scored in the first inning without benefit of a hit. Jarrod Dyson walked to open the game. He stole second and took third on an error by Dustin Pedroia. Alex Gordon then delivered a sacrifice fly. Only one other Kansas City runner got as far as third on the day.

Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury answered with a home run down the right-field line and tied the score in the bottom of the first. It was his second home run of the season.

The Red Sox added two-run rallies in each the third and sixth innings to beat Luke Hochevar (7-12), who gave up eight hits and four earned runs over eight innings. He walked one and struck out six.

Cody Ross singled in the runs in the Boston third. Ellsbury and Ross had back-to-back double ahead of an RBI single from James Loney in the sixth.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.